October 2010

10/31/2010

I wanted to surprise you on Halloween this year with the scariest clogs I could find. Unfortunately, just like when I go shopping, I couldn't pick just one. Feast your eyes on the ghoulish goodies below...and be very afraid!!!

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Scary clogs #1

Okay. It's not truly a clog. But if you love a good platform and a high rise heel, this photo manipulated shoe supplies both. And it's a lovely graphic representation about how some people's feet actually feel in a pair of heels. Both scary and true to life, you have to admit.

10/30/2010

All this talk about heel height this week has me thinking fondly of the days when clogs were more clog-like and less of a fashion statement. Those days are not that far gone. And fortunately there are people like the vintage clothing sellers of Etsy.com who are keeping those memories and shoes alive. I sat down with my MacBook Pro Friday morning and unearthed a wonderful variety of style options. Unfortunately, size is a factor as always when you go thrifting. Still, seeing some of the best of what was gives me hope for what I may yet find to be. And my goodness, there certainly were some fun shoes that got made back in the day.

10/29/2010

As one of my readers recently pointed out to me, clogs seem to be available in two heel heights: sea level and nosebleed. And now that she's pointed that out, it seems odd indeed that such a versatile style would be locked into two elevations. The low heeled variety needs no introduction. Every clog fan alive is familiar with the basic design. That round toe and curvy carved sole is the mental image that usually springs to mind when the word clog is spoken. And most of us fans have had a pair or two tucked somewhere in our closet since long before we're willing to admit. With a heel height clocking in around 1-3/4 to 2 inches, this durable wooden shoe is the default comfort shoe for everyone from professionals who have to be on their feet all day to people of all ages who just want a pair of shoes to slip on and knock around in. A Swedish clog is a Swedish clog. And to alter it beyond the basic design is to change it into something else. Fortunately there are a half dozen or more clog makers who regularly work within those limitations to take the style to new heights. I'm thinking of everyone from the venerable brand names such as Sanita and Sven who've been hewing to the basics forever it seems to Cape Clogs with their constantly evolving catalog of new and innovative leather upper designs to the truly artistic creations of such folks as Lulu Clogs, The Swanx, and Chameleon Clogs...who dress up that simple Swedish shoe with decorative adornments, hand painted uppers, and individually created woven fabrics.

At the other end of the spectrum we have the fashion industry which lives to reinvent. In their hands, the literally lowly Swedish clog has been taken to new heights. And what was once a shoe engineered for comfort and orthopedic support has been transformed into a new style fetish, yet another creation to merit the term "on trend" for a season and then be disposed of when something newer is introduced. How high have these slaves to the whims of fashion become? Why, 4", 5", and more! Rendered in the full range of possibilities from block heels that are massively chunky to stilettos that can only give you pause with caution inducing slimness. Clearly these are not clogs intended for daydreaming. These are shoes to make a statement in.

So where does that leave us? Forced to deal with the extremes of countless low heeled and high heeled clogs to choose from and not much in the way of options in between. As another reader who goes by the name of Shoegasm put it,

I wish there were more that fell in between really high and really low. We need more 3 in. heels.

Well, I know a topic suggestion when I see one, and Shoegasm's comment got me wondering what exactly there is available around the 3 inch level. Once you factor out the Sanitas and Cape Clogs and Chameleons Clogs on the market, the answer is: not much.

Still, I spent a chunk of my Thursday afternoon poking around here and there on the internet trying to see just how many medium height clogs there actually are out there. Today's post is by no means an exhaustive catalog, but it may remind you of a potential style or two that have slipped off your radar.

10/28/2010

Well, I had a whole slew of additional new clogs to show you, but then I took a closer look and discovered that more than half of them were made out of something other than wood. What fun is that? Sure, you can get the clog look you crave. But gone are the satisfying sensation of additional weight on each foot as well as the always pleasing sound effects that accompany each step. To me, a clog without wood isn't really a clog. But then, I've been known to purchase a plastic pair or two in my time just because I like their design so much. So if you'll bear with me for adding a couple of "nerf clogs" to the mix today, I'll return with a full force feature on something both wood and good tomorrow.

By the way, there are occasional pitfalls that accompany wearing wood soles as I was reminded earlier. I pulled a pair of last winter's Nine West clog boots out of my closet to wear on a visit to a potential client this morning, and I'd forgotten how much racket they made on a concrete floor. Strange to say, as much as I love the noise that wood soles and heels can make, I have to admit that I do have my limits. One should be able to get through a shopping mall without making everyone look in one's direction. I think I'll get new heel caps on this pair. That will help reduce the volume of each step. And it will help prevent the other drawback of this particular pair: the tendency for the heel to slide on a hard surface if I'm not careful. Thank God I didn't face plant at any point in the day!

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8. Snow-Capped clog boots from Anthropologie

What a sweet little clog boot! Complete with all sorts of interesting touches. The overall contour. The cuff of shearling. The little leather strap at the back. The minimal platform at the front. Well worth a look even if the price of admission is prohibitive. Available through Anthropologie.

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9. Sunshower clogs from Rachel Comey

This designer's wood soled shoes have always been a personal favorite. I've just never been able to afford them. Still I look and look and live in hope that someday a pair will surface on eBay with my Buyer's Name on it. Sorry, Anthropologie, for getting so many nose print smudges on your store window.

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10. Bernard clog bottom suede ankle boots from Rachel Comey

The Rachel Comeys above surely wouldn't be much use to me in Chicago 'til about May of next year. Once the temperature begins to drop where I live, it's shoes like the ones below that make much more sense. Cozy and warm...and lots of wood, wood, WOOD!!! You'll see these on the Saks.com website.

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11. Studded platform clog from Charlotte Russe

One of the season's hottest looks...at one of the year's lowest prices. No trees were felled in the construction of this shoe. And no financial consciences will be stricken as a result of the purchasing of it. Available through Charlotte Russe.

***CAUTION: MANMADE MIDSOLE***

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12. Paton clog from Kensie Girl

Another cute clog that in my opinion could have been made so much cuter with a wooden sole. But then that would have added another 40 bucks or more to the price. As much as I like the idea of clogs being made out of wood, I like the idea even more of more people being able to afford clogs for themselves. They may not be wood, but hey, we can convert them to those pleasures in due time. Look for these at Zappos.com.

***CAUTION: MANMADE MIDSOLE***

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Like your clogs not too tall and not too short? Come back tomorrow for a round up of the current crop of medium height styles. Yes, some do exist. And we'll take a look at them then.